Football NewsMirror FootballUnverified source· 3 Sept 2026
Former referees slam Mike Dean's 'games' claims
Mike Dean's confession of secret on-field games sparks outrage from former officials.
Who
Mike Dean
What
Claimed to play games like delaying whistle
Where
Jamie Vardy's podcast
Reaction
Two former referees criticized him
What happened. Mike Dean admitted to playing secret games during Premier League matches, prompting criticism from two former referees.
- Dean said he went 20-25 minutes without blowing whistle.
- He also stood in center circle as a game.
- Retired in 2022 after over two decades.
“There used to be games that we used to have, as a laugh...”
— Mike Dean
Former officials urge FA to investigate Dean's remarks.
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Mike Dean claims he played secret games for a laugh while refereeing matches
